Label.



N0. 714,485. Patented Nov. 25, I992.

a. E. HOWARD. V

LABEL.

. QAppIication filed Sept. 16, 1901.)

(No Model.)

UNITED STATES PATENT Fries.

LABEL.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 714,485, dated November 25, 1902.

Application filed September 16, 1901. Serial No. 75,525. (No model.)

To all whom, it may concern:

Beit known that I, GEORGE E. HOWARD, a citizen of the United States, residing in the city of Washington, in the District of Columbia, have invented a new and usefullmprovement in Labels, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to an improvement in labels; and it has to do more particularly with the art of labeling meats, although, of course, it might be applied to different purposes.

My improved label is intended to fulfil the requirements of certain acts of Congress for the inspection and labeling of meats, and one of the principal objects is to provide against the evasion of these laws.

With this object in view my invention consists in a label on the back of which the label subject-matter is applied in reverse in such manner that it isrendered legible through the medium of which the label-is composed when the latter remains in place upon the object to be labeledor is left imprinted directly upon said object if the medium of the label is removed.

It further consists in a label having transferable subject-matter. applied thereon and legible therethrough.

It further consists in a label having transferable subject-matter applied thereon in reverse.

The invention still further consists in consecutively-numbered transferable labels.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a view of two of these labels with consecutive numbers thereon, these labels being printed in reverse. Fig. 2 is a View showing thelabel as it appears after being applied to the object to be labeled. a

A and B represent two labels. They are justalike, except that they are consecutively numbered. These labels are composed of a flexible transparent medium, such as tissuepaper. The label subject-matter, which of course is susceptible of indefinite variation, is printed or otherwise affixed in transferable ink upon one face of this medium, preferably in reverse, so that the words or characters are legible through the transparent medium or from the opposite side of the medium.

The nature of the medium and the ink are such that it makes no difierence whether the medium remains on the object to be labeled or not. If it does remain on, the subject-matter is visible through it, and if the medium is removed, either by preference or accidentally,

the subject-matter remains upon the object to be labeled whereon it has been transferred by the simple act of applying the label with the printed side upon said object to be labeled.

As a means for facilitating the adhesion of the label medium upon the object to be labeled the label itself may be provided with a suitable gelatinous coating.

When once applied, the label subject-matter is indestructible in so far as washing is concerned, and the only way it can be removed is by cutting it from the meat.

By the use of my improved label not only are the legal requirements fully complied with, but also the labeling is accomplished with the least possible expenditure of time and trouble without causing any appreciable, if, in fact, any, loss whatsoever of the meat labeled and at the same time without in any wise endangering the health of the consumer. Furthermore, by the simple system of consecutive numbering a complete record of each piece of meat labeled can be retained, and the possibility of fraudulent labeling is absolutely precluded.

Having fully described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secureby Letters Patent, is-

A label comprising a thin transparent sheet of gelatin having the label subject-matter printed thereon, in reverse, in indelible transferable ink, and a reinforcing-sheet of transparent material.

In testimony whereof I have signed this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

GEO. E. HOWARD.

Witnesses:

FRANK E. NEWTON, VERNON E. Honens. 

